A behavior systems view of conditioned states during long and short CS-US intervals

From the behavior systems perspective, a long conditioned stimulus (CS)- unconditioned stimulus (US) interval should differentially condition a general search mode and related behavior, while a short interval should differentially condition a focal search mode and related behavior. Experiments with rats paired a long or a short CS with food and with an extinction test compounded the CS with an unconditioned probe stimulus of a rolling ball bearing. Ball bearing contact was higher in subjects getting the long CS. Nosing for food was higher with the short CS.